For patients who've lost their strength, mobility or dexterity to an accident or illness, occupational therapy can be key to improving their quality of life. Occupational therapists help them restore strength and mobility, or find coping strategies to minimize the debilitating effects of physical or neurological conditions. They do this through exercises based on normal daily activities, such as walking or handling a fork. Occupational therapists can find jobs in many settings.

Hospitals

Hospitals are one of the largest sources of employment for occupational therapists. Therapists work with patients recovering from surgery, illness or traumatic injury, helping set them on the path to recovery. Those patients might be referred to other therapists for ongoing treatment, or return to the hospital on a scheduled basis tor continue working with their original therapist. According to May 2012 figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for hospital-employed therapists was $75,510 per year.

Private Practice

Many occupational therapists operate their own professional practices, or share a practice with physicians, nurse practitioners, physical therapists or other healthcare professionals. Therapists who opt for this career path must have an entrepreneurial streak, and a willingness to tackle the administrative and promotional needs of their business. The BLS cited an average salary of $77,570 a year for therapists in private practice.

Schools

School boards and individual schools often employ occupational therapists to help injured, physically challenged and special-needs children adapt to the school system. Income for school-employed therapists averages $68,440 a year, but compared with other jobs, the hours are regular and working with children requires less physical strength.

Nursing and Extended-Care Facilities

Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities employ occupational therapists to help preserve or restore quality of life for their elderly and chronically ill patients. The average salary for occupational therapists in nursing care was $83,180 a year in the 2012 BLS figures. The BLS projects growth in this field as the demographically important baby boom generation ages and requires higher levels of care.

Home Health Care

Patients who are expected to recover from their injuries over time, or who have caregivers to help them remain independent, often opt to receive occupational therapy in the comfort of their own homes. Therapists in home health care travel between locations to see their patients, and might work long or unusual hours depending on the needs of their clientele. They're compensated accordingly, earning an average salary of $86,850 per year, according to the BLS.

Career

Becoming an occupational therapist requires a notable investment in time and training. A master's degree in occupational therapy is the minimum qualification, and many therapists hold doctoral degrees. Graduates must pass a national licensing examination and be licensed by their state. For those willing to make that effort, employment prospects are exceptionally strong. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected 33 percent job growth for occupational therapists between 2010 and 2020, more than double the 14 percent rate for all occupations.

About the Author

Fred Decker is a trained chef and certified food-safety trainer. Decker wrote for the Saint John, New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal, and has been published in Canada's Hospitality and Foodservice magazine. He's held positions selling computers, insurance and mutual funds, and was educated at Memorial University of Newfoundland and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.